After the breakup of the Pachakutik political alliance due to the disempowerment of CONAIE, Ecuador’s largest indigenous federation, president Gutierrez is looking for the support of alternative indigenous bodies. The president is leading his own march, scheduled for the day after CONAIE’s protest, to boost his support among indigenous peoples. Critics of the president’s actions allege that he is dividing the indigenous movement along superficial political lines, and continuing to disregard demands of indigenous peoples.
